Kaistraße 16

Kaistraße 16 is an eight-story building in Medienhafen with a striking concrete shell and large rectangular window openings. The structure combines a massive concrete mass with a black steel frame, making the different uses inside and around the building visible.

Construction was completed in 1997, marking the start of Düsseldorf's harbor transformation from an industrial zone to a creative district. The building was designed by David Chipperfield Architects and became an example of the architectural change that shaped the entire neighborhood.

The facade with its generous openings reflects its role as a media building in the district. Visitors can notice how the boundaries between inside and outside are blurred, shaping how people work and move through this area.

The ground floor has a restaurant with a terrace overlooking the Rhine, offering a good starting point for exploring the harbor. The upper floors contain offices and studios that are normally not open to visitors.

The building was entered in the 1998 Stirling Prize competition by the Royal Institute of British Architects and received second place. This award for innovative design brought it international recognition and showed the importance of Medienhafen for contemporary architecture.